Momjan

Momjan is divided into Upper and Lower Momjan. Both represent the mystery and beauty of mediaeval architecture, but each boasts its own jewel – Lower Momjan has the Church of Saint Martin from the 15th century and Upper Momjan has an ancient castle from the 13th century, built on a cliff, which defended for its people centuries. With an abundance of historic sights, excellent wine and culinary delights, the territory of Momjan is a place with beautiful nature and a rich fauna that abounds in wildlife, but also in a large number of protected and unprotected songbirds that enhance the impression of Momjan as a magical fairy tale town.

History

Momjan originated in prehistoric times when the fort in which the different tribes lived during the Bronze and Iron Age was built. It was settled in Roman times when the fort was known as Castrum Mammilianum. In the 6th century, barbaric attacks began. The feudal system was introduced with the arrival of the Franks in the 8th century. In the 9th century, the whole area was ruled by the patriarch of Aquileia, under which it remained until the 13th century. Momjan was first mentioned in 1035 and its famous castle was first mentioned in 1234. Then the government was given to the lord of Devin who built a castle with 4 towers and a drawbridge. Then Momjan fell in the possession of the German Raunicher family, which renovated it after the Venetian attack. Two centuries later, it was under the authority of the Rota family from Bergamo. In Momjan you can find one of the two copies of the “Istrian land survey”, a famous document about the boundaries of the territory from the 16th century. The Middle Ages was characterized by intensive construction and numerous battles. The Rota family lived in the castle until the 19th century when Momjan gained the status of a rural municipality. After the rule of Austria, when agriculture and trade were developed, the Italian government brought repression and a difficult period, from which the residents were liberated only after the Second World War, when they were annexed to Yugoslavia and later to the Republic of Croatia in 1991.

Recommendations

Momjan castle – built in the 12th  century on a cliff, it once had 4 towers, of which only one remains, and a drawbridge. The remains of walls and towers are still visible as well as the portal with a bow and two magnificent stone jambs

The Historic Centre – many rich bourgeois homes with particular architecture were also preserved. For example, the Rotta house from the 17th century

The Parish Church of St. Martin – from the 15th century, with 5 altars, a valuable wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Custody in a relief pillar from the 16th century

The Church of St. Peter and the Church of St Jury – were both built in the 18th century

The Church of St. Peter, Sorbar – built in the 14th century, with valuable frescoes and Glagolitic graffiti from the 15th century

The Butori Falls and the abyss – situated on the Arđila River, the are of a unique beauty

Muscat from Momjan – autochthonous wine variety from Momjan, unique in the world, delicious taste and smell

Events

Pišćaci and gunjci, Marušići – meeting of traditional music groups from north-western Istria 03.07.

In the realm of Muscat, Momjan – Muscat and art meet with historical depictions  09.07.

Vizura aperta-International festival of visual and audio media 20.07.

Wine and guitar, Momjan – traditional music and enological event 20.08.

St. Martin – a traditional celebration with numerous oenological and gastronomic events 11.11.-14.11.

Wine Bike Marathon – the traditional cycling marathon of Momjan 14.11.